(a) All signs and sign structures shall be maintained in a safe condition and shall not exhibit evidence of significant wear, deterioration or damage.
(b) The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he or she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all building code requirements.
(c) If the Chief Building Official, or his or her designee, finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, or a menace to the public, notice shall be given in writing by the Chief Building Official, or his or her designee, to the owner. The owner of the business shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. In the event of an immediate threat to the public health, safety, or general welfare, the Chief Building Official, or his or her designee, may take whatever actions deemed necessary to effect the immediate removal of such sign.
(d) Whenever any sign, either conforming or non-conforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, refurbishing, or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) There shall be no alteration or remodeling to the sign face, lettering (except as permitted for changeable copy), sign base, sign support(s) of the mounting of the sign itself.
(2) There shall be no enlargement or increase in any of the dimension of the sign or its structure
(3) The sign shall be accessory to a legally permitted, conditional, or nonconforming use
(e) Broken or damaged sign faces, framing, or support structures shall be repaired, replaced, or removed. Missing characters in the sign message shall be replaced. Mounting and electrical holes for signs that have been removed that are not used for a replacement sign shall be filled or concealed. Discolorations shall be removed from facades that create "shadows" of signs or characters that have been removed.
(f) The Chief Building Official, or his or her designee, may order any sign to be painted, refurbished, or removed if not maintained in accordance with this section or whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition.
(Ord. 25-2019. Passed 2-25-19.)